ANOTHER WAY OVER
A Novel Of Immigration To America
by John J Michalik
A young Slovak immigrant takes an unexpectedly circuitous path to the United States in a novel inspired by the experiences of debut novelist Michalik’s paternal grandfather.
It’s May 1910, and 24-year-old Jan Brozek is about to embark on a journey to begin a new life in America. As the eldest child in a close-knit, poor family, Jan grew up in the small village of Vazec, part of the Hungarian kingdom within the Hapsburg Empire. He and his fiancee, Maria Kresiak, have been planning their immigration for the past two years, saving money first for his trip with a plan for her to follow later. In Minneapolis, Jan will find a job and send Maria supplemental funds for her travel, but money isn’t the only reason they must immigrate separately. Maria would have little difficulty obtaining an exit visa from the Hapsburg government, but the same doesn’t hold for Jan; although he’s completed his military service, the empire wants to retain young, able-bodied men for armed conflict. The plan is for Jan to sneak across the border into Russian-held Poland, and from there, to cross into Germany, where he’ll secure passage on a ship to New York City. One day before dawn, he sets out by foot, blending in with sheepherders on their daily trek, and his adventures begin. Over the course of this novel, Michalik seamlessly weaves historical, societal, and political details of the setting into a tale that traces the thousands of miles—and unexpected extra years—before Jan reaches his destination. A rolling series of diverse secondary characters adds intriguing side plots, including a murder mystery at sea, making for an unusual tale of an immigration journey. Michalik introduces engaging emotional conflict early on, when his protagonist twice rescues Anna Ihnacak, a young woman of noble birth, and they each soon occupy a permanent place in the other’s heart. Although the narrative tension is light, overall, a steady flow of vignettes offers well-paced drama.
A tender, evocative tribute to one man’s determination to fulfill his American dream.